Candidate Profile: Mike Palladino For Bedford Town Board

BEDFORD, NY — Election season 2023 is here and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Name: Mike Palladino

Age: 40

Hometown: Yorktown Heights, NY

Running for which office: Councilmember, Town of Bedford

Education: Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), SUNY Cortland

Political experience: I am excited to embark on my political journey, even though this marks my first foray into the world of politics. Over the past two-plus years, I have been a dedicated attendee at nearly every town board meeting. My commitment to this community runs deep, evident in my active roles as:

• Vice President, Lions Club of Bedford Hills
• Core Team Member, Town of Bedford Emergency Management Planning Task Force
• President, Bedford Hills Neighborhood Association
• Member, Town of Bedford Veterans Advisory Committee
• Member, American Legion Post 1575
• Carnival Committee Volunteer, St. Patrick's Church
• Work experience
• Veteran, United States Air Force
• Strategic digital marketer with multi-national, multi-brand management experience at both the agency and brand side (including start-ups). Proven track record of seeing early-stage companies through multiple rounds of fundraising/acquisition.

Family: My wife Nell who I first met back in 2007 while working at a marketing firm in Bedford Hills right after college. And our fur babies - a dog named Gosa and a cat named PJ.

Campaign website: www.MikeForBedford.com

Why are you seeking this office?

Bedford is at a critical juncture, shaped by the profound impacts of a global pandemic. Remote work has evolved into a semi-permanent fixture for some, reducing the need for daily commutes via road or rail. It has also sparked a surging demand for home office spaces and the enhancement of broadband connectivity.

We’ve welcomed a wave of new residents, drawn in by that undeniable Bedford charm. However, this influx has driven up home prices and intensified competition in the housing market, effectively creating a formidable barrier for low- to moderate-income individuals striving for homeownership. And local businesses have borne the brunt of the pandemic’s impact, with some forced to close their doors, leaving behind vacant storefronts throughout the town. This has resulted in reduced foot traffic in our hamlets, adversely affecting both the surviving businesses as well as the vibrancy of our community.

Now more than ever, the call for our elected officials to be fully engaged has never been more critical. We need to be focused on strategic planning, goal setting and comprehensive engagement with all aspects of the town.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

Voters should back candidates who exhibit a genuine eagerness to invest their time and energy in service to their constituents. I hope that my campaign can serve as a blueprint for the kind of representation voters can expect from me. I’ve been dedicated to engaging with our community, conducting thoughtful conversations with hundreds of residents. I’ve actively sought your feedback and diligently documented it, leading to the creation of “101 Ideas For Bedford.”

I’ve also initiated and promoted a series of mobile office hours, providing opportunities to connect with residents over a coffee or beer, showcasing the accessibility I believe this role demands. With consistency, I’ve attended nearly every town board meeting over the past two-plus years, voicing my concerns and sharing important insights on issues that I believe residents should be informed about.

And throughout this journey, I’ve maintained transparent communication, disseminating information through newspaper articles, blog posts, social media updates and newsletters. My unwavering dedication stems from my deep-seated passion for our community and my belief in the exceptional nature of Bedford — a place I am determined to preserve for generations to come.

What is the single most pressing issue facing your constituents and what do you intend to do about it?

Over the past 2+ years, I’ve used my blog — accessible at MikeForBedford.com — as a platform to address the pressing challenges that Bedford faces. True effective governance, in my view, requires more than just attending Town Board meetings. It necessitates a commitment to diligent research undertaken in the time between these meetings — ensuring that decisions are well-informed and data-driven. Furthermore, it involves active and engaged participation in discussions, underscored by the courage to ask tough and necessary questions.

My approach, shaped by both my military background and extensive experience in nurturing early-stage startups into mature, publicly-traded companies — revolves around the ethos of rolling up one’s sleeves and taking concrete, measured actions to deliver meaningful results.

How would you address the affordable housing issue in the community?

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) present an excellent opportunity to bolster housing availability and maintain the unique character of our community. They offer a versatile housing solution that benefits individuals of all ages, allowing them to age in place comfortably while also affording homeowners a means to diversify their income streams. Bedford is fortunate to have embraced progressive ADU policies, and I'm eager to leverage this advantage for the betterment of our town.

How would you protect the drinking water in the community?

The foundation of our water protection strategy begins with vigilant monitoring and testing. To bolster this commitment, I propose the establishment of a rigorous water quality testing program, vital for early issue detection — a concern that Bedford has faced in recent years. Given the prevalence of wells in Bedford, it is also imperative that we take proactive measures by implementing wellhead protection zones, shielding these vital sources from the risks associated with nearby land use activities.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

My primary focus from the outset is Bedford Hills — a hamlet in dire need of a comprehensive, data-driven action plan, one that will encompass crucial elements including the development of metrics to effectively assess and quantify our progress in addressing issues like business recruitment and retention. And I would be deeply committed to establishing open and direct communication channels with the key stake-holders in the hamlet, including both current and potential tenants, landlords and residents alike.

Secondly, we need to maintain a firm stance on taxes as modest increases over the past decade have surpassed those in some neighboring towns. This requires a thorough examination of our budget, a rigorous evaluation of every expenditure to determine its necessity, and a proactive exploration of alternative options whenever feasible. Thirdly, I will leverage my marketing expertise to enhance communication with our residents, ensuring they are not only well informed but also provided with effective channels for soliciting valuable feedback. Initiatives such as mobile office hours, a digital suggestion box, and regular feedback surveys are some other things I would be enthusiastic about championing.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I offer a multifaceted and extensive professional background that uniquely equips me for the responsibilities at hand. I’ve spent the better part of my career in pivotal roles within early-stage growth startups as a performance marketer. This journey has cultivated in me a remarkable ability to adapt and excel in multifaceted environments, allowing me to wear various hats as the situation demands. My approach to problem-solving is characterized by my agility and efficiency, where I leverage these qualities to deliver effective solutions. I am wholeheartedly enthusiastic about bringing this dynamic skill set and experience to the Town Board, as I believe it will greatly contribute to the betterment of our community.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My Dad, who framed a Vince Lombardi quote that read: The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Visit my website — MikeForBedford.com — for anything else you want to know about me, including my contact information should you want to chat about anything in particular.